Next on 4
4IP: Innovation for the Public
Last updated: 21 August 2008
Channel 4 appoints Tom Loosemore as Head of 4IP
Channel 4 has today announced the appointment of Tom Loosemore to the role of Head of 4IP. Loosemore, who was until recently Senior Advisor of Digital Media Strategy at Ofcom and is a former Head of Broadband at the BBC, will take up his new post from the beginning of October. He will have management responsibility for the Four Innovation for the Public fund (4IP) and report to Channel 4’s Director of New Media and Technology Jon Gisby.
Announced as part of Channel 4’s Next on 4 strategic blueprint, which outlined the role the Group believes it can fulfil in the fully digital media sector of the future, 4IP is a pilot £50 million creative fund that aims to re-invent how publicly-valuable content is conceived, funded and delivered for British audiences on new media platforms. A collaboration between Channel 4 and a series of regional development agencies and funding partners from around the UK, the editorial focus will be on working with the best talent, both individually and within digital production.
Andy Duncan said: “In Next on 4, we laid out a very clear vision of the evolution of Channel 4 from a traditional linear broadcaster into a public service, multi-platform organisation that engages audiences with innovative and creative content wherever they are. The 4IP pilot was one of the ideas at the very heart of it, and is all about fully exploring the vast potential of the internet for delivering public value to Britain in new and exciting ways. Clearly, 4IP will benefit hugely from having someone of Tom’s considerable expertise and knowledge at the helm.”
Gisby added:“Tom’s leadership, track record and practical experience in delivering public service content on new media platforms are unparalleled. I’m delighted that he’s agreed to join Channel 4 to lead the project, and accelerate the progress we’ve been making over the last few months. He’s the latest addition to an expanding and hugely talented new media team who have recognised the unique opportunities for Channel 4 in the digital age”
Loosemore said “I’m delighted to be joining Channel 4, and I feel hugely privileged to be offered the chance to lead such a bold public service initiative. It’s in Channel 4’s DNA to innovate, to take risks and to support new talent. I look forward to applying that same pioneering spirit to interactive media.”
As Senior Advisor of Digital Media Strategy, Loosemore was instrumental in media regulator Ofcom’s approach to the internet and interactive media. Previously he was at the forefront of the BBC’s digital media strategy having joined the corporation in 2001 as Head of Broadband. He was one of the authors of ‘Building Public Value’, the BBC's strategic vision for the next ten years, and led a major review of the BBC’s online activities. In 1998, Loosemore launched the local information website UpMyStreet.com, and for two years he was a journalist on the UK edition of Wired magazine. In his spare time he has been instrumental in launching a raft of award–winning e–democracy websites including TheyWorkForYou.com and FaxYourMP.com
Background to 4IP
The debate about how public service media needs to evolve onto new platforms has been rumbling for ages. We think it’s time to do something. Nurture new talent. Champion new voices and fresh perspectives. Give people who can reinvent public service media the tools and resources they need to do it.
That’s why we announced 4IP - a new investment fund for innovation - as part of our Next on 4 commitments. Over the next couple of years we will be investing up to £50M in content and services which will help Channel 4 deliver its public purposes on new platforms, in new ways, for an audience that has new expectations. You can read the detail of what we announced in Next on 4 in the Executive Summary, the Full Report or the press release.
We will be launching 4IP publicly later in the summer, when we will give details of how you can submit your ideas. In the meantime we’re busy setting things up and will keep this site regularly updated.
What we’re doing right now
Partnership is in the DNA of Channel 4 and 4IP is no exception. We’re busy galvanising activity across the public and private sectors and building a coalition of funding partners including Screen West Midlands, Scottish Enterprise, Yorkshire Forward, Screen Yorkshire, NESTA and Arts Council England. We are currently having additional conversations with other potential investors, as well as with other public organisations and technology and media corporations. We are delighted that so many people are both interested in what we’re doing and keen to participate. If you’d like to discuss how your organisation can get involved, drop us a line to 4IPpartnerships@channel4.com.
We are also starting to seek out the individuals and organisations who need our backing for their ideas, and to this end are actively engaged in speaking to relevant gatherings over the next few months. If you’d like us to come and talk with you, simply send an email to 4IPtalent@channel4.com
Finally, we’re building the team which will run 4IP. You can find out which roles we’re currently hiring for and how to apply for them by clicking here.
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